Horizon Scan of the Belt and Road Initiative

Alice C Hughes1, Alex M Lechner2, Alexander Chitov3

  • 1Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China; Center of Conservation Biology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.

Related Concept Videos

Azimuths and Bearings01:19

Azimuths and Bearings

Azimuths and bearings are essential concepts in surveying, providing methods to express the direction of a line relative to a meridian. Azimuths refer to the clockwise angle measured from the north end of a reference meridian to the given line, ranging from zero to 360 degrees. This method gives a comprehensive directional reference within a full 360-degree circle, making it a straightforward way to communicate direction in various fields, including navigation, cartography, and...
465
Profile Leveling and Cross Sections01:26

Profile Leveling and Cross Sections

Profile leveling and cross-sections are surveying methods used to determine and document terrain elevations for infrastructure projects such as highways, railroads, canals, and pipelines. These methods provide data for earthwork planning and alignment of proposed routes.  Profile leveling involves measuring elevations along a fixed line to create a vertical terrain profile. A surveyor sets up a leveling instrument at the benchmark (BM) and records a backsight (BS) to determine the...
1.4K
Flat Belts: Problem Solving01:28

Flat Belts: Problem Solving

Flat belts are crucial in many industrial applications as they help transmit power from one pulley to another. The concept of forces and moments is used to determine the maximum moment on a pulley. For instance, consider a flat belt that wraps around two pulleys, A and B, with radii of 30 cm and 10 cm, respectively. The angle between the belt and the horizontal is 20 degrees at the pulleys. As pulley B rotates clockwise and drives pulley A, tension T2 is caused at one end of the belt, while...
705
Design Example: Alignment of a Road Line Using GIS01:17

Design Example: Alignment of a Road Line Using GIS

The alignment of a road line using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a critical process in civil engineering, combining advanced technology with practical decision-making. This methodology begins with the collection of geospatial data, including information on land cover, geomorphology, drainage patterns, slope, and contour details. Such data is typically acquired through satellite imagery and GIS tools, offering a comprehensive understanding of the terrain.Once the data is gathered, it...
248
Types of Global Positioning System Surveys01:30

Types of Global Positioning System Surveys

GPS surveying methods vary in application, accuracy, and data collection techniques, catering to diverse surveying and mapping needs. Static GPS, kinematic GPS, and real-time kinematic (RTK) surveying are widely used. Each technique offers distinct advantages.Static GPS involves placing one receiver at a known reference point and another at the target point. It collects exact positional data by observing multiple satellite ranges over an extended period, achieving centimeter-level accuracy for...
243
Meridians01:28

Meridians

In surveying, meridians are vital reference lines to measure directions and establish accurate land orientations. Meridians run from the north to the south poles, providing a stable framework for angular measurements and mapping. Meridians are fundamental in survey design, with the primary types being astronomic, magnetic, and assumed meridians. Each type offers distinct benefits and limitations, selected based on the project's scale and precision needs.The astronomic meridian is aligned with...
716